Automatic-sprinkler alarm device.



I. R. HAMILTON. AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER ALARM DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED MAY8. 191a.

YTL,@89,%55 Patented M031, 1918.

r ea n manna no.

' JOHN R. HAMILTON, OF YONKERS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO AUTOMATICSPRINKLER COMPANY OF AMERICA, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A, CORPORATION OF NEWYORK.

AUTOMATIC-SPRINKLER ALARM DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 8, 1916. erial No. 96,168.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN R. HAMILTON, a citizen of the United States,and resident of Yonkers, Westchester county, New York, have made acertain new and useful Invention Relating to Automatic-Sprinkler AlarmDevices, of which the followin is a specification, taken in'connectionwit the accompanying drawing, which forms part of the same.

This invention which involves improvements on the patents to Thompson,743,049, of November 3., 1903, and Thompson and Hamilton, 1,022,446, ofApril 9, 1912, relates to alarm valve devices which are adapted to beused in automatic sprinkler systems so as to give an alarm when thesystem comes into emergency operation in the event of fire, or when themain check valve is otherwise unseated, with a minimum possibility ofgivin a false alarm under water hammer or ot er conditions.

In the accompanying drawing showing in a somewhat diagrammatic way anillustrative embodiment of this invention,

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional degail taken along the. line22 in Fig. 1; an

Fig. 3 is an enlargeddetail section showing part of the alarm gongmechanism.

In the illustrative arrangement shown in thedrawi-ngs the main alarmvalve casing 1 is adapted to be mounted in the riser or main supply pipeof the automatic sprinkler or other automatic fire extinguishing system,the lower part 4 of this valve casing being connected as indicated tothe lower section of the supply pipe while the upper part 2 of the valvecasing may be connected in a-similar way to the upper part of thedistributing system which may comprise automatic sprinkler heads orother suitable distributing devices. The valve seat 5 may be mounted inthis casing so that the main or check valve 6 may coiiperate therewith,this check valve being preferably heavily weighted as by casting itsmetallic body full of lead, for instance, so that it willnormally tendto remain closed and exert by its weight any desired difi'erentialopening pressure (say, one pound more or less per square inch) when itbegins to open. This check valve may as indicated be mounted by one ormore valve lugs, such as 32, secured to the valve body and secured tothe valve stem 7 indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 which may be pivotallymounted in any suitable Way within the valve casing, the cover plate 3of which may be removably bolted in place so as to facilitate theassembly and inspection of the parts.

A discharge valve may be operatively connected in any way with the maincheck valve so as to open in unison therewith and thus control variouspassages connected with the alarm mechanism. For this purpose the dis-.

charge valve 9 having if desired the yieldable facing 10 may be mountedon a valve arm 8 connected to the valve stem 7 to which the main checkvalve 6 is connected. 'In this way the two valves move substantially 1nunison any slight backlash or looseness of parts and connections,allowing a little play so that in connection with the yieldable facingof the discharge Valve it is definitely seated under all conditions whenthe main check valve is substantially closed. To promote this actionthis discharge valve may have its connected stem 11 carried through anenlarged or swiveling aperture in the end of the valve arm 8 and heldthereon by the lock nuts 12, the lower face of this arm where itcooperates with the valve 9 being preferably somewhat dished or roundedup so as to promote the self-adjusting action of this valve and itsaccurate cooperation with the discharge valve seat 13 below. Asindicated this discharge valve may be mounted within avalve housing 15held in place as by the projecting flange indicated on the valve seat13, the valve stem 7 projecting through a suitable aperture in thishousing so as to operate the discharge valve without substantial leakagefrom the main check valve chamber.

A suitable Venturi or jet device of any desired construction may bearranged in a bypass around the main .check valve and for this purposethe Venturi casing 23 maybe secured to the main valve casing 1 so as toprovide the injecting passage 17 and the receiving passage 18communicating with the valve casing above and below the main check valve6. The Venturi or jet device may comprise the injecting nozzle 26 andthe cooperating or alined receiving nozzle 25 mounted within thisVenturi casing so as to constitute together a suitable constrictedVenturi' tube or passage developing a pressure reduction or suctionimpulse at its con- ]Patented Dec. 31, 1918.

stricted throat when substantial flow takes place therethrough. Thisannular space or interval between the two nozzles at their re-.

duced ends may communicate as indicated I with a suction space 24 in thecasing and the suction passage 28 communicating with thisceiving theplug or cap 21 and a similar tubular screen 20 maybe supported aroundthe enlarged inlet end of the injecting nozzle 'in a generally. similarway by coiiperating with a recess formed in the plug 33 screwed orotherwise held in position in the Venturi casing in line with thesenozzles so as to facilitate'their assembly and inspection. An automaticcontrol valve such as 22 may coiiperate with this Venturi or jet deviceso as to automatically close and shutoff discharge of liquid into thereceiving passage and connected distributing system when the dischargevalve opens. For this purpose a restricted discharge passage,,such as31, may 7 be formed in connection with the receiving nozzleor adjacent-parts and cooperate with the discharge valve in such way as to beopened thereby and allow the discharge of liquid therethrough and intoasultablewaste connection when this'dischar'ge valve opens. A convenientand desirable, although not necessary arrangement for this 'purpose, is

- indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 as comprising the waste pipe 16 whichcommunicates with the main valve casing andwith a waste' tube 14'mounted therein sothatits upper end 006perates with the discharge valveseat 13. The

discharge passage 31 may bebrought down adjacent this valve seat so asto commuhicate with the annular space'119 between thisv waste tube andthevvalve seat 13 so that when the dischargevalve is closed as shown inFigs. 1 and 2, there is no communication between this discharge passageand the corresponding waste passage and pipe 16 while when the dischargevalve is opened a predetermined amount of liquid from the Venturi-devicecan flow through this restricted discharge passage 31 and into thecofiper'ating waste passage so as to be discharged from the system andthus maintain a constant amount of flow through the Venturi deviceso asto maintain a suction impulse ,of predetermined amount in the connectedsuction space and passage 28. Thus under fire emergencyconditions whereonly a single sprinkler head opens. for instance, the flow of water fromthis single-operating sprinkler head can be taken care of through theby-pass Venturi connection without substantial opening of the main checkvalve 6.

- This flow of the extinguishing liquid through the Venturi devicecauses a suctlon impulse therein which operates the alarm'devices if 1tcontinues for a predetermined time which .is regulated by the retardingdevices employed. In the event that the main check valve 6 is preventedfrom fully seating, whether by foreign matter, distortion, or by anyother means, thus no longer exerting a pressure on the Wateror creatinga diiferential action, the operatively connected discharge valve 9 is,by reason of the construction and cooperation of the elements, opened,thus allowing the escape of liquid through the restricted dischargepassage 31 into the waste pipe 16. This causes a suflicientreduction ofpressure in the receiving nozzle so that this .pressure is less than thepressure above the partly opened main check valve 6 and thisautomatlcally closes .the control valve 22 so that thereafter the flowthrough the Venturi device is determlned" by the amount of flow whichtakes place,

through thisrestricted discharge passage 31 and this can bemadesuflicient so as to give a substantially similar suction impulse andthusactuate the alarm deviceafter practi- ,cally the same time delay asin the other case.

This suction impulse may be utilized in suitable way to operate anelectrical or i an mddhanical alarm preferablyin connectionwithrettirding devices which may with advvantage have a uni-directionalaction efl'ecting a retarded movementof the alarm or controllingmechanism so as to give an alarm after this suction impulse has actedfor the desired time while on discontinuance of the suction 'impulse theparts are allowed to quickly return to their normal inactive posigiyingof water hammer or similar false alarms through surge action in thepiping. For this purpose a mercury float chamber may beconnected to thesuction passage and may, if desired, comprisea casing 36'formed with asuction chamber 93 and with a communlcating float chamber 46 which maycon- .tion, thus more effectively minimizing the;

tain an iron or other float 47 supported in the mercury 41 or othersuitable liquid. This suction chamber 93 may be provided with a suctionopeningor passage 34 communicating withv the suction passage 28 througha manual shut-off. valveo r cock 29 if desired, and if desired a similarshut-off valve 30 may be interposed between the pressure or, alarmsupply passage 27 in the chamber 92 adjacent the" injecting nozzle andthe openin 35 in thefloat chamber so that this liqui can by its flow orpressure operate suitable alarm devices when the alarm passage 53 isopened by movement of the float valve 50 connected in any suitaaeaassable way with the float 47. If desired this float valve which may have asuitable resilient facing 52 may be mounted in the valve lever 51pivoted as by the pin 55in a suitable bracket or bearing which may beconveniently formed on the tube constituting the alarm passage 53. Apivotal or other loose connection such as the pin 49 may connect thisvalve lever with the float 47 as provided at any suitable point with arethrough the reduced neck or upper part 48 of the float so that whenthis float descends it draws the float valve away from the 00- operatingvalve seat at the end 0 this alarm passage and allows the liquid fro thesupply pipe topass through this passage to operate any electric or-mechanical alarm device. This action takes place when themercury orother liquid 41 is transferred to a suificient extent by the suctionaction described from the float chamber 46 to the suction chamber 93. Inthis connection the communicating transfer passage 45 may be tardervalve preferably retarding the transfer of the mercury into the suctionchamber while allowing its much more rapid and free movement in theopposite direction. In order to minimize joints and possible leakage inthe lower part of this mercury casing 36 below the surface of themercury therein this retarder valve is preferably mounted within .aretarder valve casing 40 which may be sup ported as by the screwconnection indicated .at its upper end with the adjacent part of 35.

the casing. This retarder valve casing may comprlse ad acent its lowerP01111011 a valve seat with which cooperates the retarder valve 43whenever it rises into the closed position indicated so that under theseconditions the restricted retard passage 114 through this valverestricts the transfer of mercury between the float and suction chambersunder the suction impulse caused bythe Venturi device so that thedesired time interval takes place after the commencement of discharge ofliquid from one of the distributino devices before the mercury flowopens the float valveor otherwise causes the actuation of the connectedalarm mechanism, while assoon as this suction impulse ceases and themercury tends by its unbalanced weight to flow back into the floatchamber this retarder valve is free to fail and thus open a considerablyincreased passage for the mercury through the central bore or passage 94in this retarder valve casing and the holes 42 may be made around theperiphery of its lower part preferably above the cap 44 which may bescrewed into this valve casing to support and guide the valve inoperative position therein preferably at the lower portion of theextension 39 of the suction chamber. As indicated a cap such as 37 maybe screwed on this casing above and in line with the retarder valvecasing so as to facilitate its mounting and a larger capv plate 64 maybe bolted or otherwise secured above the float chamber soas to allow thedescribed parts to be mounted therein. It is also desirable to arrangefor the drainage of liquid from the alarm pipe 61 upon thediscontinuance of alarm, and for this purpose a drain chamber 54 may beformed in this casing and the drain pipe 58 connected thereto, a reduceddrain aperture such as 57 being arranged in this drain connection so asto allow a limited amount of drainage which is ample to take care of anyslight leakage past the valves and parts while en tirely insuflicient tosubstantially interfere with the regular alarm indications caused underfire emergency conditions. If desired,

a screen, such as 59, may be provided around the alarm passage 53 so asto prevent any dirt or scale passing into the alarm mechanism and a capor plug.60 maybe arscreen and another cap 56 may if desired be providedadjacent the bottom of this drain chamber.

An alarm pipe 61 connected with the alarm passage 53 in any suitable waymay transmit the flow or pressure of the liquid to the alarm devicesunder emergency conditions and any suitable electric alarm may be usedin this connection, such, for example, as a diaphragmchamber 65 diagramsranged in the casing to cooperate with this matically indicated asbeingprovided with a F diaphrag-In68 with which cooperate the insulatedelectric alarm contact 67 and its pivoted or movable extension 68cooperating with the diaphragm so as to be raised by the diaphragm. intoelectric contact with the cooperating contact 69.also insulated in thecasing cover. These two contacts may as indicated be in circuit with asuitable battery or other source of electricity 71 and with the electricbell or alarm 70 of any suitable description. Thus when the liquid fromthe alarm pipe 61 and connection 62 raises this diaphragm suflicientlythe electric alarm is operated through the connections described.

screen 72 so as to deflect toward the bottom of the motor casingparticles of dirt, etc., while the water passing around the upper endsof this shield enters the annular space 75 and passes freely through,the screen 72 to supply the nozzle 76. This nozzle is of course pointed.upward sufliciently so that its jet engages the Pelton type or otherbuckets I 77 Jon the motor wheel mounted within the casing as on themotor shaft 78,

' the water beingdischarged through a suitable waste pipe or connection90 communieating with the lower part of the motor casing which ispreferably divided into two parts substantially above the motor shaft sothat this shaft and its bearings are permanently mounted in the lowercasing section as indicated, and are not wedged or I cramped when theupper casing section is Y secured in position. It is also desirable toprovide for the accurate support and alinement of this motor inconnection with the gong or-other mechanical alarm device which isusually mounted on the outside of the outer wall 81'of the'building andthis may be conveniently effected by securing the gong 7 support 87 tothe outer face of this wall as by suitable expansion bolts indicated andrigidly securing. to this gong support an alining connector tube '80-which may be nected operating mechanism for the gong.

screwed into a flange or collar.116 on the.

support and extend entirely through the wall so as to provide asubstantially rigid alining projection with which may coeperate theapei'tured collar 116 formed on the motor bracket 82' connected to themotor casing. This motor bracket may be secured on the connector tube asby the-securing nut 110 screwed on the tube for instance, so as topermanently lock these parts in position and' insure the alinement ofthe motor and con- As indicated more in detail in' Fig. 3, the

hammer arms 83 may be rigidly secured to the tubular gong shaft '89revolubly mounted as by the bearing cap 104. The inner end of I in thebearing 10 8' in the gong support which may, if desired, be providedwith suitable anti-friction'or roller bearings held in place 1 thistubular gongfshaft may be provided with a coupling device'such as theblock 107 to which may be secured as bythe screws 106 the steel orother-coupling Washer 105 whichmay be formed with a square or othernon-circular hole adapted to eoeperate with the alarm shaft 109.v Theinner end of this alarm shaft may coiiperatewith a. similarly shapedaperture 100' formed in the coupling 99 on the' motor shaft andpreferably so shaped asto, allowa limited 'angular bending of .thisalarm shaft so; to have some universal joint actioii in connectiontherewith. In assembling these parts the alarm shaft may beinserted fromthe outside of thebu-ilding so that its inner end properly coiiperateswith the .couplingaperture 100 and then-this square. or othernon-circular shaft orr'od may be cut'o'fiat such length as to besubstantially flush with the outside of the tubular gong shaft 89 andpermanently held in position in-connection therewith as '1 by the cap103 screwed over the end of this shaft' The gong 84 which may beconveniently bolted or mounted on the gong casing 85 may then be -putinplace as by slipping the holding flange 111 at the upper end of thisgong casing over the corresponding locking member of the gong support sothat the lower locking portion 112 of this.

gong casing cotiperates with the projecting locking lug 86 of thesupport so as to be padlocked orv permanently secured thereon and firmlyhold-the gong in operative position. The cotiperating gongghammers arepreferably in theform of h'ammer rings 88 loosely mounted on the hammerpins 102 soas to coiiperate with the upper part of the v gong when themotor is running at normal speed and thus give a strong blow to the gongwhen the hammers are thrown outward by centrifugal action, while at thesame time their weight and rebound action tend-to ef fectively clearthem fromthe gong and .pre

vent deadening the alarm signal produced,

and alSO the motor is left entirely free to as new and what is dea'redto besecured by, Letters Patent is set forth in the appended beendescribed in con "1, In sprinkler ala 'in devices, a supply pipe,connected with anautomatic sprinkler distributing system, a connectedvalve casing, a-main check valvemounted in 'said valve casing, adischarge valve mounted within a valve housing located within saidcasing and operatively connected.. to said main check valve, a Venturicasing secured posed-injecting nozzle and coiiperating re: ceivingnozzle forming a by-pass Venturi passage around said main check valve,an

to said valve casing and comprising an opv automatic, control valvecoiiperating with and vertically mounted above the end of said receivingnozzle to prevent entrance of liquid into said nozzle from saiddistributing system, there being a. suction'space communu eating withthe restricted throat of said Yenturi passage, a restricted dischargepassage communicating with said receiving v nozzle and controlled" bysaid -'discharg e 'valve,a valve seat with which said discharge valvecotiperates and having a connection with said discharge passage,a'tubeinounted 5 1 within said v'alve'seatto be normally closed bysaid'discharg'e valve, acoeperating waste passage communicating withsaid tube to be J placed in communication with said discharge passagewhen said discharge valve opens, a float casing compris ng a floatchamber and a suction chamber having their lower portions substantiallyimperforate and connected by a transfer passage, a unidirectional retarddevice comprising a tubular valve casing supported at its upper end incommuni cation with said suctionchamber and a retarder valve mountedwithin said valve casing within said transfer passage and automaticallyclosing to provide a restricted retard passage for the transfer ofliquid from said float chamber to said suction chamber, a connectionbetween said suction chamber and the suction space of said Venturicasing, a charge of mercury and a float in said float chamber, a floatvalve connected to said float and controlling an alarm passage receivingliquid from said supply pipe and alarm devices connected to said alarmpassage to give an alarm when said alarm passage is opened. L

2. Tn sprinkler alarm devices, a supply pipe connected with an automaticsprinkler distributing system, a connected valve casing, a main checkvalve mounted in said valve casing, a discharge valve mounted within avalve housing located within said casing and operatively connected tosaid main check valve, a Venturi casing secured to said valve casing andcomprising an opposed injecting nozzle and cooperating receiving nozzleforming a by-pass Venturi passage around said main check valve, anautomatic control valve cooperating with and vertically mounted abovethe end of said receiving nozzle to prevent entrance of liquid into saidnozzle from said distributing system, there being a suction spacecommunicating with the restricted throat of said Venturi passage, arestricted discharge passage communicating with said receiving nozzleand controlled by said discharge valve, a valve seat with which saiddischargevalve coopcrates and having a connection with said dischargepassage, a float casing comprising a float chamber and a suction chamberhaving their lower portions connected by a transfer passage, aunidirectional retarddevice to provide a restricted retard passage forthe transfer of liquid from said float chamber to said suction chamber,a connection between said suction chamber and the suction space of saidVenturi casing, a charge of mercury and a float in said float chamber, afloat valve connected to said float and controlling an alarm passagereceiving liquid from said supply pipe and alarm devices connected tosaid alarm passage to give an alarm when said alarm assage is opened. 3.In sprinkler alarm evices, a supply pipe connected with an automaticsprinkler distributing system, a connected valve cas ing, a main checkvalve mounted in said valve casing, a discharge valve 'mounted within avalve housing located within said casing and operatively connected tosaid main check valve and mounted on the same valve stem to movesubstantially in unison therewith, a Venturi casing secured to saidvalve casing and comprising an opposed injecting nozzle and cooperatingreceiving nozzle forming a by-pass Venturi passage around said maincheck valve, an automatic control valve cooperating with and verticallymounted above the end of said receiving nozzle to prevent entrance ofliquid into said nozzle from said distributingv system, a restricteddischarge passage communicating with said receiving nozzle andcontrolled by said discharge valve, a valve seat with which saiddischarge valve cooperates and having a connection with said dischargepassage, a tube mounted within said valve seat to be normally closed bysaid discharge valve, and a cooperating waste passage communicating withsaid tube to be placed in communication with said discharge passage whensaid discharge valve opens.

4. In sprinkler alarm devices, a supply pipe connected with an automaticsprinkler distributing system, a connected valve casing, a main checkvalve mounted in said valve casing, a discharge valve mounted within avalve housing located within said valve casing and comprising an opposedlnjecting nozzle and cooperating receiving nozzle forming a by-passVenturi passage around said main check valve, an automatic control valvecooperating with said receiving nozzle to prevent entrance of liquidinto said nozzle from said distributing system; and a restricteddischarge passage communicating with said receiving nozzle andcontrolled by said discharge valve. 5. In sprinkler alarm devices, asupply pipe connected with an automatic sprinkler distributing system, aconnected valve casing, a main check valve mounted in said valvecasing,-a discharge valve operatively connected to said main checkvalve, a Venturi casing secured to said valve casing and comprising. anopposed injecting nozzle and cooperating receiving nozzle forming abypass Venturi passage around said main check valve, an automaticcontrol valve cooperating with said receiving nozzle to prevent.entrance of liquid into said nozzle from said distributing system, and arestricted discharge passage communicating w1t h sa 1d receiving nozzleand controlled by said dlS- charge valve.

6. In sprinkler alarm devices, a suction jet device to be connected withan auto-. matic sprinkler distributing system, a connected float casingcomprising a float chamber and a suction chamber having thelr lowerportions substantially imperforate and connected by a transfer passage,a unidirectional retard device comprising a tubularvalve casingsupported at its upper end in communication. with said suction chamberand a retarder valve .mounted' within said valve casing within saidtransfer passage and automatically closing to provide a restrictedretard passagefor the transfer of liquid from said float chamber to saidsuction chamber, a charge of mercury and a float in said float chamber,a float valve connected to sa1d float and controlling an alarm alarmpassage to give an alarm when said alarm passage is opened. I 7. Insprlnkler alarm devices, a suction et device to be connectedwith anautomatic sprinkler distributing system, a connected float casingcomprising a float chamber and a suction chamber having their lowerportions substantially imperforate and connected by a transfer passage,a retard de-.

- vice comprising a tubular valve casing and a retarder valve mountedwithin said valve casing within said transfer passage andv automaticallyclosing to provide a restricted retard. passage for -the transfer ofliquid from said float chamber to said suction chamber, a charge ofwater immiscible liquid and a float in said float chamber, a float valveconnected to said float and controlling an alarmpaSsage adapted toreceive liquid from the supply pipe connected to said distributingsystem and alarm devices connected to said alarm passage to give analarm when said alarm passage is opened.

8.. sprinkler alarm devices, a valve casing to be connected with anautomaticz sprinkler distributing system, a main check' valve'mounted insa1d valve casing, a discharge valve' operatively connected to said.main check valve .to be actuated thereby, a

Venturi device comprising an opposed 1nectmg nozzle. and cooperatingrece1v1ng 'nozzle forming a by-pass Venturi passage around said maincheck. valve, an automatic control valve cofiperating with said.

receiving. nozzle to prevent entrance of llquld mtosaid nozzle from saiddistributing system, there being a suction space com: 1 mumcatlng withthe restricted throat of said Venturi passage,-a' restricted dischargepassage communicating with said receiving nozzle and controlled by. saiddischarge valve and alarm actuating mechanism comprising aunidirectional retard device and having. a valved connection with saidVeni turi device.

9. In s rinkler alarm devices, a valve cas e connected with an automaticsprinkler distributing system, a main check valve mounted in-sald .valvecasing, a dis-I charge valve operatively conneqbed to said passagereceiving liquidfrom said supply plpe and alarm devices connected tosaid' main check valve to be actuated thereby, a Venturi devicecomprising an opposed injecting nozzle and cotiperating receiving nozzleforming a by-pass Venturi passage around said main check valve, therebeing a suctlon space communlcatmg with the restricted throat of saidVenturi passage, a

restricted discharge passage communicating with said receiving nozzleand controlled by said discharge valve and alarm actuating mechanismcomprising a unidirectional retard device and having a connection withsaid Venturi device.

10. In sprinkler alarm devices, a valve casing to be connected with an.automatic sprinkler distributing system, a main check valve mounted insaid valve casing, a discharge valve operatively connected to said maincheck valve to be actuated thereby,-

a Venturi device comprising an opposed 1necting nozzle and coiiperatlng'receivlng main check valve mounted in said valve cas- I ing, adlscharge valve operatively connected to said main check valve to movesubstantially in unison therewith, a Venturi jet device comprising anopposed injecting nozzle and codperating receiving nozzle forming aby-pass passage around said main check valve, an automatic controlva'lve'cooperating withsaid receiving nozzle to prevent entrance ofliquid into .said inozzle from said'distributing system, a restricteddischarge passage controlled by said discharge valve and. receivingliquid passing ating' mechanism comprising a unidirec-' tional' retarddevice and connected with said Venturi etdevlce, and an alarmdevioeconthrough said Venturi jet device, alarm actunected to saidal'arm actuating-mechanism.

12. In sprinkler alarm devices, a v'alge casing to lbe connected With'anau'tom'atlc sprinkler distributingsystem, a weighted main check valvemounted in said valve casa dischargevalve operatively connected to sa1dmain check valve, a- Venturi jet device-comprising an opposed injectingnoz- .zle and codperating receiving nozzle formmg a, by-pass passagearound said maincheckvalve, an automatic control valve. cooperating withsa1d receiving nozzle to prevent entrance of liquid into said nozzlefrom said distributing." system, a festricted discharge passagecontrolled by said dischargevalve and receiving-liquid passing throughsaid Vent-uri jet d'evice, alarm actuating mechanism connected with saidVenturi jet device, and an alarm, device connected to said alarmactuating mechanism.

13. In sprinkler alarm devices, a valvecasing to be connected with anautomatic sprinkler distributing system, a main check valve mounted insaid valve casing, a discharge valve operatively connected to said maincheck valve, a Venturi jet device forming a by-pass passage around saidmain check valve, a restricted discharge passagecontrolled by saiddischarge. valve and receiving liquid passing through said Venturi jetdevice, alarm actuating mechanism colinected with said Venturi jetdevice and .an

. alarm device connected to said alarm actuating mechanism.

14:; In sprinkler alarm devices, a valve casing to be connected with anautomatic sprinkler distributing system, a main check valve mounted insaid valve casing, a discharge. valve operatively connected to saidimaln check valve, a suction jetdevice form- 5 ing a by-passpassagearound said main check valve, a restricted discharge passage controlledby said discharge valve and receiving liquid passing through saidsuction jet device, and.alarm actuating mechanismvconi nected with saidsuction jet device.

15. In sprinkler alarm devices, a valve casing to be connected with anautomatic 1 sprinlde'r distributing system, a main check I stricteddischarge valve mounted in said valve casing, a Venturijet devicemounted on said casing and forming a by-pass passage around said maincheck valve, means comprising a discharge valve controlled by said checkvalve and a repas'sage governed thereby and communicating with saidVenturi jet device to effect a substantially predetermined flow throughsaid Venturi jet device when said check valve is open, and retardinalarm Venturi jet device. V

16. In sprinkler alarm devices, a valve casing to be connected with anautomatic sprinklerdistributing system, a main check valve mounted insaid valve casing, a Venturi jet evice forming a by-p-asspassageactuating. mechanism connected wit said around s. id main check valve,means comsprinkler distributing system, a main check valve mounted insaid valve casing, a. sizetion jet device forming a by-pass passagearound said main check valve, means comprising a discharge valvecontrolled by said check valve and arestricted. discharge passagegoverned thereby to eflect a substantially predetermined flow-throughsaid suc tion jet device when said check valve is open. V

18. In sprinkler alarm devices, a valve casing to .be' connected with anautomatic sprinkler distributing system, a man check valve mounted insaid valve casing, a suction et dev ce formmg a by-pass passage aroundsald mam checkvalve, and means controlled by said check valve to effecta substantially predetermined flow through said suction jetdevicewhensald check valve is open.

JOHN R. HAMILTON. \Witnessesz' I 7 A..J. Rronnns,

